Wednesday, September 25, 2013

WINDY WEATHER

Fall winds were churning up the bay this morning. At the Audubon Overlook was a assortment of shorebirds. Most notable was a Black-necked Stilt (photo taken on Parkfield Road in SLO County). The Stilt was a beauty; her graceful long legs were very pink. She was among a mixed flock of Greater Yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitcher (photo), Western Sandpiper, and two Black-bellied Plovers.

The wind was such, that as the graceful Stilt attempted to move and feed in the shallow water, the wind blew her sideways. The other birds, not having the height of the stilt were not blown about. Black-necked Stilts have the second-longest legs in proportion to their body of any bird, exceeded only by Flamingos.

Working my way through the Los Osos sewer construction, managed to get to Cuesta Inlet and Pecho Willows. Although quite windy on the west facing side of the bay, it did nothing to hamper a feeding frenzy that had just begun. The first to arrive were the Terns, next Double-crested Cormorant, and finally Brown Pelican.

I find the intense noise of the sewer construction extremely distracting on my limited birding skills. Tomorrow morning; no later that 8:00, I am promising myself, that I will bird in peace and quiet, Islay Creek mouth, and the campground at Montana de Oro St. Park.